Family Membracidae - Treehoppers

Thorn Bugs

mem-BRAY-ci-dee

Family name Membracidae is from genus Membracis Fabricius, 1775. That is New Latin, from Greek membrax (μεμβραξ), a type of cicada (1). (Apparently Latin membrana, source of English membrane, is not related.)

range 2-20 mm, with most species under 12 mm (2)

Characters of Membracidae, as well as other families of the Cicadoidea, are (Folz, 2001):

The Membracidae may be separated from related families by noting the large pronotum that extends back over the abdomen and (often) covers the head:

   

Many species appear humpbacked; others have spines, horns or keels. Some look like thorns.

Adults and nymphs suck plant juices. Many species feed on trees and shrubs, but some species are found on herbaceous plants. Most species feed only on specific types of host plants.

Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring. Nymphs drop to the ground. They return to trees to lay eggs. Most species are solitary, but many occur in groups or clusters and exhibit presocial behavior--adults often stay near nymphs, tending them. Many have mutualistic relationships with ants--the ants fend off predators and/or parasites and collect sugary fluid secreted by the hoppers.

Only a few species are considered pests; most of the damage is caused by egg laying.